Sustainable Tech Innovations Paving the Way for a Greener Planet

A. Getting acquainted with Sustainable Technology

Over the past few years, we are witnessing a growing need for action to tackle climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has cautioned that there is a possibility of global temperature rising 1.5 degrees Celsius as early as 2030 (above pre-industrial levels) unless there is notable mitigation actions taken, (IPCC, 2018). This disturbing figure underscores the necessity for innovative solutions to reduce the detrimental effects of human activities on the environment. Sustainable tech refers to a wide spectrum of innovations aimed at minimizing environmental impact while enhancing economic prosperity and social equity. This article lists some of the sustainable technologies capable of leading us towards a greener world.

Sustainable tech is essentially any kind of technology that aids in sustainability by consuming fewer resources, generating less waste or putting fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The World Economic Forum has reported that investments in sustainable technology has the potential to deliver up to $26 trillion in economic benefits (WEF, 2020) and create 65 million new jobs globally, by 2030. This makes a strong argument for the introduction of sustainable technologies in several industries, from energy and transport to agriculture and waste management.

The importance of innovation to the sustainability agenda cannot be overstated. The world population is projected to reach about 9.7 billion by the year 2050 (United Nations, 2019) and with this growth comes increased pressure on resources. The demand for significant changes in technology could be answered without harming the earth in the future with sustainable tech. One example of such transformation can be noted in the field of renewable energy: solar and wind power technology development is revolutionizing the energy sector by offering cleaner options to fossil fuels. According to International Energy Agency (2021), the share of renewables in electricity generation reached around 29% globally in 2020 and is steadily increasing year by year.

Additionally, sustainable tech goes beyond energy, it includes innovations in materials science, water conservation, and smart agriculture. One of them is vertical farming, which is a revolutionary agricultural practice that consists of growing crops in stacked layers. Not only does this maximise land use, but it also drastically reduces water consumption, with some vertical farms using 90% less water than traditional farming methods (Garnett et al., 2013). аgrісulturе wіth the usе оf tеchnоlоgу, lіkе prесіsіоn fаrmіng аnd drоnе usе, dеlіghts еffісіеnсу аnd sustаіnаbіlіty.

The thing is, as we explore the different aspects of sustainable technology further, it will become apparent that more and more of these innovations will be need-to-have solutions instead of nice-to-have options on the road to combating climate change. In the remainder of this article, specific sustainable technologies and their potential for a greener world will be examined.

B. Renewable Energy Innovations

Sustainable technology in cleaner energy: Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources From Solar, Wind, Hydro and Geothermal energy, Renewable energy types can play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The worldwide renewable energy capability was reported as 2,799 gigawatts (GW) by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (IRENA, 2021), which can be translated as a 10.3% increase between the periods. Renewable growth is part of a broader energy transition.

In particular, there has been technology and efficiency breakthroughs in solar energy. Since 2010, the price of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has dropped by approximately 82%, making solar power one of the cheapest energy sources available today (Lazard, 2020). Solar energy is now a pillar of national energy policies in countries such as Germany and China, and millions of households and businesses there have installed solar panels as a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. For example, China represented 32% of global solar PV installations in 2020 (IRENA, 2021), demonstrating its focus on renewable energy.

Technological innovation leading to sustainability is another area in wind energy. So though the new generation of wind turbines are much bigger and more efficient, energy output has grown skyrocketing. According to Global Wind Energy Council, the installed total wind capacity in 2020 was 743 GW, which in average increases of 93 GW per year (GWEC, 2021). Offshore wind farms have especially taken off, because they use more powerful and steady winds at sea. Offshore wind energy is booming: the UK and Denmark are at the forefront of it, with ambitious targets to expand their capacities further.

While varying greatly by region, hydroelectric power is still a major integrated part of the renewable energy picture at around 16% of global electricity generation. New small-scale hydroelectric systems and run-of-river projects offer hydro power that is less expensive and more ecologically sound. These systems can also deliver clean energy to remote locations, while avoiding the ecological disruption of large damming projects. As an illustration, one way that alternative energy sources are being used to make a positive impact is by providing small hydroelectric plants in rural Nepal which supplied consistent energy for communities to use in their homes or businesses.

The importance of integrating renewable energy into existing infrastructures as the world drives toward a more sustainable energy future cannot be overstated. These advanced component technologies–smart grids, energy storage solutions, demand-response technologies, etc.–must be developed and enabled to efficiently and reliably support renewable energy systems. With the help of renewable energy trends, we can make huge efforts to create a more sustainable world.

C. Transport Solutions that are Sustainable

With around 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, the transportation sector is among the main contributors of greenhouse gasses (IPCC, 2021). Thus Urbanization is a challenge as cities globally continue to grow while their population also increases, the need for sustainable transportation solution has become all more pronounced. Breakthroughs in knowledge-based solutions such as electric vehicles (EVs), public transportation frameworks, and alternative fuels are much needed if we ever want to achieve sustainable mobility in the future.

With the global sales of electric vehicles exceeding 3 million units in 2020 (an annual growth rate of 43% than 2019) (IEA, 2021), the idea of electric vehicle concept become increasingly popular over the past few years. EV technology has seen massive investment from major automotive manufacturers and has been epitomised by the likes of Tesla. The emergence of advanced battery technologies, such as lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, has enhanced the range and capabilities of electric vehicles, making them an attractive choice for consumers. In addition, across the world, governments are offering incentives and subsidies to tempt consumers into adopting EVs, expediting the shift away from vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

Coordinate with eco-friendly transportation systems Electric buses, light rail systems and bike-sharing programmes are examples of innovations that are revolutionising urban mobility. Cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen have effectively implemented cycling as part of their transportation systems, thus decreasing traffic congestion and pollution. A 2020 study conducted by the European Cyclists' Federation found that CO2 emissions from travel can decrease by up to 50% with biking instead of using a vehicle (ECF, 2020). In addition, smart public transport systems that use real-time data to optimise routes and schedules are improving efficiency and making public transport more attractive.

Hydrogen and biofuels are other emerging sustainable alternatives for transportation. FCVs (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles) have zero emissions and can be refuelled in under minutes. Japan and Germany are building hydrogen refuelling stations, along with plans for whole networks of such stations. Biofuels from renewable resources can be blended with conventional fuels, so they are a transitional solution for cars using internal combustion engines that are already on the road.

Another aspect of sustainable transportation is behavioural changes in addition to technological innovations. Carpooling, remote and hybrid working and alternative modes of transport can all have a big impact on emissions. In this transition, governments and organisations can be most important by investing in the infrastructure, awareness campaigns and policy that prioritise sustainable mobility.

In our journey for sustainable transportation solution, it is clear that multiple solutions are needed to tackle the challenges of climate change. To revolutionise the transport sector discovering ways to sustainable lower emissions and more efficient system, electric cars, public transport, and alternative fuels.